Sunday, June 21, 2015

Jurassic World and Projects

Well, our summer is busy busy busy!  I keep hoping for some relaxation.  Maybe that comes after the big presentation this week?

We did go see Jurassic world and LOVED it!!!  We took Alayna and her friend Megan to dinner at Zoe’s and then a fun night at the movies!

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Alayna started tennis camp and is really enjoying it! 

Tyler got a job at Wal-Mart and starts his training tomorrow. 

We continue to work on the house  a ton.  It is looking amazing but it sure has been a lot of work!

Started the computer room- got rid of all 3 desks- cant wait to show you the final when we finish.

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Finished Alaynas bathroom

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Finally got Tylers hair cut just in time for senior pics

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I leave tomorrow for the big reading conference in Ames.  I am extremely nervous, plus I havent really traveled by myself since we got married.  I hope all goes well and I don’t die during the presentation.  The kids fly out to Arizona and head to Santa Barbara this week with the Harts who just got back from Peru.  AND a special Happy Fathers day to all you wonderful dads!

Insane Inflatable 5k!

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Tyler Senior Pics

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Sunday, June 07, 2015

Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly…

…and Tyler’s was working overtime and has probably asked for a change of assignment by now.

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Tyler had just finished his show choir auditions and was heading to pick up his friends for the tailgate party.  His light turned green and he was heading left and assumed the driver across from him was as well, but he was going straight forward and slammed into Tyler. HARD.  Tyler said it felt like a slow-mo dream.  Like his brain couldn’t quite comprehend what was happening.  Both the driver of the other car and the two witnesses said Tyler was hit really hard!  They were all so kind and very worried about him!  The airbags deployed which slammed him in the chest and knocked the air out of him.  Thank the heavens above he had his seatbelt on!  Glass shattered everywhere and he miraculously got our with a only a few cuts from glass on his hand.  Everyone at the scene couldn’t believe that someone walked away from it.  Hence, the guardian angels…

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The other drive also walked away fine.  When we finally got there, Tyler was being taken into an ambulance- after seeing that and the car, my mommy heart started panicking big time.  They said he was fine, checked his vitals, and bandaged his hand.  He looked…stunned.  Like he just couldn’t believe this had happened…again.  We were there for about 1 1/2 hours filling out paper work and getting the cars towed.  Tyler was really shaken.  So much so that he didn’t sleep all night.  BUT he did make 10th street again which was exciting!  We have been watching him carefully today and monitoring any signs starting to show.  He does have a  headache and chest a little sore.  But overall, I think the main damage was the mental trauma…I know he was grateful his sister and friends were NOT in the car at the time.

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We took today slow, full of relaxing and spending time together.  Its always amazing to me how its these instances and experiences that make us take a look at our priorities, where our time is being spent, and what really matters.

I was in the walkin clinic yesterday as well.  My health has been declining for weeks now.  I know a lot of it is all the stress (the accident didn’t help).  Its time to slow down and focus on me, my health, and our family.

So, what else is going on?

Lots of concerts the last couple weeks of school.  Plus, Alayna was accepted to do Myfi which helps do orientations for incoming 6th graders.  She is pretty excited about that.  She loves tennis and wants to keep doing that.  She will do show choir another year and then isnt sure about if she will continue. 

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As I said above, Tyler made 10th street again and was very excited to earn the position of section leader for the trombones in marching band.  Now he also hopes to make a lead in the musical.  He is also (forcibly) going to find a job very soon.

The girls are doing well.  Maybe they can write quick updates that I can include each week? hint hint?

We have been working hard on our home (as if we don’t have enough to do).  Last week we cleaned out (with a hose and everything) the entire garage.  It is organized and beautiful!

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Bob has been a beast working in the kitchen.  Here is what our living room has looked like since the girls were here (a working area)

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Here’s the only before pic I could find

Heres the after

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I gathered hundreds of books this year from donations, weeding, etc.  Then I put them on my table for free and the kids went nuts.  I wanted to make sure every single student walked out that door for summer with a book to read and they did!!

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Today we are making homemade frostys and enjoying our favorite show “Community”.  Here’s to a better week!  And may nothing else to my explosively high blood pressure!

Projects Galore

First I have to give a HUGE thanks to Patty Hansen for checking on Tyler and bring him something special to let him know people care about him and were worried about the accident.  We were all so touched by your kindness!  We hope his luck will improve as well!

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He was sick this week- his stomach kept hurting but he wouldn’t let me take him in to have it checked.  Then he discovered a HUGE bruise all the way across his abdomen (I am not allowed to post the picture).  It must have been where the seatbelt locked to hold him in place.  He was pretty sore but is doing much better this weekend!  We did spend an enormous amount of time on the phone with insurance people and the DMV.  What a nightmare and even with insurance, it cost us a ton.

We are, however, extremely grateful to be in summer vacation.  It is needed more than ever before.  We has so much that needs to be done on the house as well as focus on health and family.  This was a good week and we accomplished a lot.  Bob and I even got a date in!  We went to dinner  and then out to see the movie “San Andrea” and we just loved it!!  It’s the ultimate natural disaster film with lots of action.  We especially love the Wehrenberg Tuesday specials where tickets and concessions are only $5!

I finally finished Marisa’s mission blog book.  It’s not perfect, but I think its so cool that we can do stuff like that now.  To have her entire mission documented with her letters and pictures for our family history is so dang awesome!

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I have been back on the treadmill, extremely active and FINALLY sleeping!!!  It feels wonderful to be almost back to normal.  Blood pressure is better but still high.  I am working on that.  The kids did a bike ride this week and almost died! 

ALayna is planning and cooking all the meals for the next 2 weeks for her personal progress.  Woot woot!

Bob has done a phenomenal job on the staining.  Both bathrooms and the kitchen staining are done plus he put the new handles on.  Its so beautiful that I just want to cry.

We are almost completely done with the yard work.  I FINALLY got to sew the stupid rip in the trampoline that happened over 2 years ago.  It took me 3 hours and then we got pool noodles and cut them to cover the springs since the trampoline pad was worn and ripped.  Doesn’t it look awesome?!?!

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We also cleared out between the garden boxes. We are putting down black fabric to keep out the weeds and covering it with pea pebbles.  It is looking so nice!

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We built a new corrugated cardboard cage for Rosie and Lily and added a ramp for them.  They love it!

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I also deep cleaned the carpets in the guest room, Tylers room, and the exercise room and boy were they gross!!! 

My brother, awesome as always, got me 3 signed books at the Denver Comic-Con including a signed World War Z from Max Brooks!!  I am getting quite the collection!

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I guess that’s it for this week.  Lots of projects and fun planned for this week.  Tyler has an interview at Hyvee this week- keep your fingers crossed, he needs a job!  Waiting on pic from my girls…hint hint!

Sunday, May 24, 2015

5.More.School. Days….

It was a busy week.  My body is falling apart though.  I am anxious for summer.  Thank goodness for a holiday tomorrow and only 5 more school days left.  I can make it right???

The robin eggs hatched this week and it so fun to watch the babies try to learn how to fly!

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The guineas are doing well but miss the girls!

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I have been gathering donated books all year so every one of my students walks out the door this summer with a book in hand!

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A sweet friend on facebook posted this and it touched my heart:

“You're an amazing librarian, Kristina! If they don't come away from that school with a love of reading, it's surely no fault of yours. If everyone put as much effort into nourishing these young minds there really would be no child left behind“

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